On cold evenings, nothing complements a warm fire like a glass of aged red.
We used an ‘ah-so’ style cork puller to remove the cork from this bottle as it looked fragile, as though it might crumble if roughly handled.
2003 was a drought year, with low rainfall and high temperatures, and the vines set only a small crop in response to the tough conditions. That intensity shows in the wine, with the kind of structure needed to age well.
The aroma was fresh and complex, offering notes of cedar, cassis, and a hint of peat. On the palate, it was vibrant and balanced, with sweet fruit up front, good depth of flavour, and a long finish. It’s drinking beautifully now so there’s no need to wait but should continue to hold well until at least 2030 if you have a well cellared bottle with a good cork. We’re happy to report that this wine is still in excellent shape.